"Here instead we get 'Opti Poba' [a hypothetical player], who previously ate bananas and then suddenly becomes a first-team player with Lazio. That's how it is here. In England, you need to demonstrate what you have on your CV."

Days later, a video clip emerged, showing Tavecchio -- who, as president of the Italian Amateur Football Association (LND), also oversees women's football -- saying: "We used to think that women were disabled compared to men in terms of stamina and other things. But we've now discovered they're actually quite similar."

In the first round of voting, he failed to obtain the 75 percent share required to be declared the winner. He fell two percent short of the necessary 66 percent in the second round, but took 63 percent in the third, in which 50 percent was the required figure.

"I will be everyone's president, especially of those who did not vote for me," he said. He did not hold a press conference and postponed any decision about the appointment of Italy's next coach until after Aug. 18.